Updating multiple packet filters in a single bearer context IE

Abstract

A method is disclosed, comprising: in a general packet radio services (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) message to update a GTP tunnel with a traffic flow template (TFT), sending a first opcode in a header of a TFT message; sending a second opcode in a packet filter field of the TFT message; interpreting the first opcode to initiate at least two of creation, deletion, and updating of traffic flow templates (TFTs); and interpreting the second opcode to identify an existing packet filter for adding, replacing, and deleting a packet filter.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 in a general packet radio services (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) message to update a GTP tunnel with a traffic flow template (TFT), sending a first opcode in a header of a TFT message, the first opcode comprising a TFT operation code at TFT IE level; 
 sending a second opcode in a packet filter field of the TFT message, the second opcode comprising a Packet Filter Operation Code at Packet Filter level; 
 interpreting the first opcode to initiate at least two of creation, deletion, and updating of traffic flow templates (TFTs); 
 interpreting the second opcode to identify an existing packet filter for adding, replacing, or deleting a packet filter; and 
 consolidating two GTP messages into a single GTP message including the first opcode and the second opcode. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first opcode is an update existing TFT opcode. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first opcode is an update existing TFT opcode and wherein the first opcode has bit values (1, 0, 0) from bit 8 to bit 6 of a third octet of the TFT message. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second opcode is a four-bit packet filter identifier. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second opcode is associated with an operation corresponding to the first opcode and with a packet filter associated with the packet filter field of the second opcode. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the GTP tunnel is a downlink tunnel and wherein the TFT is applied to the downlink tunnel and wherein the first and second opcodes are interpreted within an operator network. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the GTP tunnel is an uplink tunnel and wherein the first and second opcode are interpreted at a user equipment (UE). 
     
     
       8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed at a processor located at a network node, causes the network node to perform steps comprising:
 in a general packet radio services (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) message to update a GTP tunnel with a traffic flow template (TFT), sending a first opcode in a header of a TFT message, the first opcode comprising a TFT operation code at TFT IE level; 
 sending a second opcode in a packet filter field of the TFT message, the second opcode comprising a Packet Filter Operation Code at Packet Filter level; 
 interpreting the first opcode to initiate at least two of creation, deletion, and updating of traffic flow templates (TFTs); 
 interpreting the second opcode to identify an existing packet filter for adding, replacing, or deleting a packet filter; and 
 consolidating two GTP messages into a single GTP message including the first opcode and the second opcode. 
 
     
     
       9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the first opcode is an update existing TFT opcode. 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the first opcode is an update existing TFT opcode and wherein the first opcode has bit values (1, 0, 0) from bit 8 to bit 6 of a third octet of the TFT message. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the second opcode is a four-bit packet filter identifier. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the second opcode is associated with an operation corresponding to the first opcode and with a packet filter associated with the packet filter field of the second opcode. 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the GTP tunnel is a downlink tunnel and wherein the ITT is applied to the downlink tunnel and wherein the first and second opcodes are interpreted within an operator network. 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the GTP tunnel is an uplink tunnel and wherein the first and second opcode are interpreted at a user equipment (UE).